Kelly Cameron - Page 8

Cirque du Soleil's newest creation, AMALUNA, opened this past Thursday with a bang. The atmosphere was electric, with all guests being treated to cocktails, popcorn and ice cream under the big top. With many VIPs in attendance, Cirque debuted their newest production (directed by Diane Paulus) to Toronto. The show is loosely based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, and is a feast for the eyes and ears. BWW was on hand for opening and is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the performance.

Backbeat the Musical tells the story of arguably the world's biggest and most well-known band, the Beatles. The show examines how the band came to be the best known band in the world by looking at their humble beginnings and exploring the fascinating love triangle which existed between original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, John Lennon and Astrid Kirchherr. The show enjoyed a successful run on London's West End and is playing in Toronto with its original British cast intact. BWW spoke with director David Leveaux about the challenges associated with tackling such 'popular' material, the reasons for exploring the early years of the band, the reaction from Toronto audiences and why this isn't a 'jukebox musical'.

Daniel Robert Sullivan spent over a year in Toronto playing Tommy DeVito in the smash-hit Canadian run of Jersey Boys, and next week he's returning to the Great White North to launch his new book Places, Please! (Becoming a Jersey Boy). Daniel sat down to talk with BWW about why he wrote the book, why he's launching it in Toronto and his journey so far.

Million Dollar Quartet is currently rocking The Toronto Centre for the Arts through the end of the week, and BWW had the opportunity to sit and chat with three of the four men responsible for bringing these iconic rock and roll characters to life each night. Martin Kaye (Jerry Lee Lewis), Lee Ferris (Carl Perkins) and Derek Keeling (Johnny Cash) tell us all about what it's like to portray such well known musicians, what the music means to them and why Million Dollar Quartet has something for everyone.

BWW is thrilled to bring readers photo coverage of the Anandam Dance Theatre's latest offering, Divergent Dances for Windows and Walls. On now at the Bata Shoe Museum, this choreographic installation combines dance and aerial arts and includes performances on the exterior walls of the complex.

Daniel Robert Sullivan spent over a year in Toronto playing Tommy DeVito in the smash-hit Canadian run of Jersey Boys, and next week he's returning to the Great White North to launch his new book Places, Please! (Becoming a Jersey Boy). Daniel sat down to talk with BWW about why he wrote the book, why he's launching it in Toronto and his journey so far.

The stars of War Horse Toronto were out in full force today in Toronto, where they galloped down King Street and visited the farmer's market in David Pecaut Square, some children at CBC Kids Day and the Royal Ontario Museum. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the event.

BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos of the opening night performance of Million Dollar Quartet, currently playing at The Toronto Centre for the Arts. We were also on hand for the special press event they held earlier that day at the TCA, where they gave members of Toronto's press a performance and posed for photographs. The show plays until July 29th, 2012.

Beauty and the Beast opened Thursday night in Toronto, becoming the second to last show that Dancap Productions will produce in Toronto before closing up shop after five years. BWW was on hand to capture photos of the opening night.

The 2012 Dora Mavor Moore Awards took place this past Monday night, honouring the best of the best of the past year in Toronto theatre. The evening featured a pre-show VIP reception at The Sony Centre, a gala awards ceremony and the ever popular street party that takes place after the show under the stars on Front St. BWW was on hand to bring you pictures from the event and all the winners!

This past Wednesday, The National Ballet of Canada celebrated their 60th Anniversary with a gala event at The Four Seasons Centre for the Arts. The evening embraced a 'Diamond' theme, with gorgeous tutus on display throughout the centre showcasing designs from all over the world. Guests were invited to watch highlights from the Ballet's impressive repertoire and then had a gala dinner and dance on the stage of the Centre. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the evening.

On Monday hundreds of girls ventured out to the CBC studio in downtown Toronto for an open call to cast the next Dorothy in an upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy will be cast via reality TV show Over the Rainbow, where participants will perform songs and be judged each week in the style of Canadian Idol. The winner will don the ruby slippers when The Wizard of Oz opens via Mirvish Productions later this year. BWW was thrilled to be on hand to bring our readers photos from inside the auditions.

Sharron Matthews is a beloved star of Toronto's cabaret and theatre scene, and she's about to embark on a world tour that will take her to Scotland, England, NYC and South Africa! She took a few minutes to talk to BWW about what cabaret means to her, why she's going around the world and what she's doing for Toronto before she leaves.

Broadway Legend Kristin Chenoweth came to Toronto this past week for one night only at Massey Hall, and the city is still buzzing about it. The special concert featured songs from many different genres, as well as little anecdotes from her life. She embraced Canadian culture with references to Tim Hortons, Holt Renfrew and more, and BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the show.

TD Bank recently became the first Canadian Financial Institution to publicly endorse the 'It Gets Better' campaign, an initiative which BWW has been proud to support since it's inception in 2010. The project was conceived in response to the suicide of Billy Lucas and many other teenagers who were being bullied because they were gay. Founded by Dan Savage and Terry Miller, the goal of 'It Gets Better' is to prevent suicide among LGBT youth by having gay adults and allies speak out and let youth know that it WILL get better.

This past Sunday Toronto was treated to a special outdoor concert by Rufus Wainwright, the man Elton John once called 'the greatest songwriter on the planet'. The concert was part of Luminato, and included the debut of 12 tracks from his upcoming album 'Out of the Game.' BWW was on hand to get photos from the gorgeous evening.

Next to Normal is a Pulitzer Prize winning musical that deals with love, loss, grief, mental illness and overcoming the hard obstacles many of us face in our lives. Last seen in Toronto this past summer, Clearwater Theatre is putting on a regional production this week at The Tarragon Theatre. BWW sat down to speak with the six person cast about what the show means to them, and why they think people should see it. Today we're speaking with Sara Farb who plays Natalie, James Daly who plays Gabe and Andre Morin who plays Henry.

Next to Normal is a Pulitzer Prize winning musical that deals with love, loss, grief, mental illness and overcoming the hard obstacles many of us face in our lives. Last seen in Toronto this past summer, Clearwater Theatre is putting on a regional production this week at The Tarragon Theatre. BWW sat down to speak with the six person cast about what the show means to them, and why they think people should see it. Today we're speaking with Kathryn Akin who plays Diana, Adrian Marchuk who plays Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine and Jay Davis who plays Dan.

The 33rd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards were announced yesterday, with Acting Up Stage, Nightwood Thetare and Theatre Passe Muraille emerging as the leaders of the pack with the most number of nominations in their respective divisions. The Awards will be distributed in a ceremony hosted by Thom Allison at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts on June 25th, 2012 and BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photo coverage of the nomination event.

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival's 60th Season opening week wrapped up on Saturday night with the debut of The Matchmaker, a comedic tale by Thornton Wilder that has never before been presented by The Festival. Funny, touching, witty and poignant, the show both delighted and surprised. Bolstered by an incredibly talent cast, beautiful set design and inspired direction, The Matchmaker is shaping up to be the can't miss show of the summer.